George Colony's Blog:

September 2011 Archive

Forrester believes that the world will move away from the Web toward App Internet -- powerful local devices (like an iPad) running programs that transparently link to resources in the cloud. My impressionistic view would support our thesis. As an example, I was recently with Susan Lyne, the CEO of online retailer Gilt. She told me that her customers were increasingly accessing her site via apps, and not the Web -- because it was faster and offered a superior experience.

The last time Forrester surveyed tablet users (in January, 2011) we found that 16% were spending more time on apps, 39% were spending more time browsing, and 45% spend about the same amount of time browsing and using apps.

How about you? Apps or Web on your tablet? Click here, then vote in the right hand column below "About this blog." After you vote, you'll see the results of the vote to date. Thanks.

As CEO you have undoubtedly heard about cloud computing. Under cloud your company's data and applications can be contained and run on the computers and networks of a third party like Google or Amazon, theoretically lowering your cost and reducing your data centers (along with staff).

If I sat you down for coffee, here are five things I'd tell you about cloud:

1) Pure cloud constitutes an interim step -- App Internet will offer better solutions. Local devices like your iPhone or Android tablet or server are becoming ever more powerful -- under App Internet those devices will join up with the cloud to solve problems. Compare an iPad (with apps) to a Google Chromebook and you'll get the idea.

2) Storing your most sensitive data in the cloud is a bad idea. Because cloud vendors typically do not reveal their security protocols, there is no way to verify how safe your data will be. And if it is lost, you are liable, not the cloud vendor.

3) The cloud can be cheaper. Some vendors are claiming 50% cost reductions -- that's hogwash. But in some cases it could reduce operational costs by 10%-30%.

4) You can't just flip a switch and go to the cloud. Before you go, Forrester recommends a full audit and rationalization of: 1) your data portfolio, 2) your applications portfolio, and 3) your security architecture. In other words, your roadmap must be plotted before you go cloud -- or you'll be repaving cow paths.